Will or Going To?

One of the most asked questions by English learners, and one of the areas that receives the most mistakes, is when to use "will" and when to use "going to?"

There are many explanations of when "will" is used and many explanations of when "going to" is used, but the main thing to bear in mind when choosing between these two tenses is:

Going to is used when we have decided to do something before the time of speaking and will is used when we decide to do something at the time of speaking.

Here are some examples:

• I'm going to the nightclub, are you guys up for it?
• I'll go!

• Let's go the the park this Saturday for a picnic.
• Great idea! I'll bring some sandwiches.
• Cool. I'll bring some drinks.

Later on...

• We're going to have a picnic on Saturday. I'm going to bring some sandwiches and my friend is going to bring some drinks.

In the latter example the plan for the picnic was made before the conversation. While in the original example the picnic plan was made while speaking.

There are lots of other ways to illustrate the question of will or going to, here are just a few:

•  Will is used for offers (I'll help you), promises (I promise I'll call you), and requests (Will you pass me the salt please?)
• Going to is used when you base a prediction on something you can see (look at the blue sky, it's going to be a nice day today).

 To fully understand the difference between these two tenses, read this post a few times over, repeat the examples given and then put it into practice.

Don't Worry - Irregular Verbs

Many students are worried about irregular verbs. They learn the grammar rules and then are asked to look up the irregular verb table (which is usually in the appendix) and remember all the different irregular verbs. While some students may find this beneficial and others will remember some of them, learning in context will vastly improve your chances of remember (and using) irregular verbs.

Here are some tips for practising English irregular verbs.

•  Some of the most common irregular verbs are also the most common. To be, to go, to have. Can you use these freely? If so this is because you have used them often. This leads to point number two.
• Whenever you come across an irregular verb write it down and then use it in different tenses. Try and use it in natural conversation the next time you speak English.
• Repeat the irregular verb (in context) many times. Repetition will help you use the verb more freely in conversation.

New Year's Resolutions

With the new year comes new resolutions. The most common ones usually involve exercising and eating. But as English learners there are some new year's resolutions that we can all make. Here are some examples:

• Set some goals for the new year. Is there a test you want to pass? Is there a level you want to reach? Write these things down and refer to them throughout the year to check your progress.
• Find more time to study. Studying English should be done when you are relaxed, so finding the right time to study is very important.
• If you are at a good level, a good resolution could be to watch a television series in English. Watching the same series will help you with your listening and understanding of a specific genre. Pick something that you are interested in and something that isn't too difficult or technical.
• Try to speak English more. A lot of students spend a lot of time studying without speaking. This could be done by self study (reading articles out loud, finding a language exchange, listening and repeating) or by starting an English course.

What other resolutions can you think of? Although you can start doing the above at any time throughout the year, there isn't a better time to start than in the new year.

Happy new year to all of my readers. I hope it's a good year both for English learning and generally.

Share

Using Like to Describe People

When somebody talks about a person that we don't know, we lask questions about their personality, their appearance and what interests them. We can ask all three of these questions using the word, "like."


"What is he like?" - Personality (can be used for appearance)

When we want to know about somebody's personality and character we ask, "what is he/she like?" Here is an example:

• I met somebody at my English course. He's called Matt.
• What is he like?
• Well, he's very nice and friendly but a little shy.

"What does she look like?" - Appearance

• Have you met Michael's new girlfriend?
• No, what does she look like?
• She's tall, has dark hair and is very pretty.

"What music do you like?" - Interests and Preferences

• (at a party)... I love going to concerts and gigs too! What music do you like?
• I really like folk music, but also like rock and indie.

Notice that with the first two examples we don't use like in the affirmative. This is because 'like' is only a verb in the last example.
Can we use the word 'like' in different ways? Can you think of some examples?

Share

Three Common Present Perfect Errors

When using the English present perfect there are some common mistakes made by speakers. This article will look at some of the most common errors made. It will also give some tips for English learners when using this tense.

Common Error No. 1

The first error using the wrong preposition. When using the present perfect to state where you have visited before using the verb ‘to be,’ many students use the preposition ‘in’ instead of ‘to.’

Where have you been?

• I’ve been to France, Spain and Italy. (NOT – I’ve been in..)
• This week I’ve been to London and Brighton. (NOT – I’ve been in..)

Common Error No. 2

Another common error is using the present simple instead of the present perfect when talking about actions that started in the past and continue in the present.

• I have been a student since 2009. (NOT – I am a student since 2009)
• She has been in France for 3 years. (NOT – She is in France for 3 years)

Common Error No.3

Time expressions are important with the present perfect as mistakes are made when the wrong time expressions are used. Note that specific time expressions in the past can’t be used with the present perfect.

• I’ve drunk three cups of coffee today. 
• We haven’t studied a lot this semester.

Limiting these common errors and using the present perfect tense correctly will make you improve your English and help you speak more freely.

Phrasal Verbs #1 - Put Up

This is a series of new posts that I will write about phrasal verbs. You will find the meaning of phrasal verbs along with some examples.

Phrasal Verbs #1 - Put Up (Three Meanings) - Put up has three main meanings.


1. To place something on the wall.

• He put up the picture in the living room - He put it up in the living room.

2. To tolerate something - (We need to add "with" here)

• I can't put up with the noise at night - I can't put up with it.
• I won't put up with your behaviour (a mother talking to her child) - I won't put up with it.

3.  To build or erect something

• We need to put up the tent before it's dark - We need to put it up before it is dark.

What Should I do Now?

Phrasal verbs need practise.

1. Write them in your English book. 
2. Create new sentences using the phrasal verb and use different tenses when applying them.
3. Are there more meanings for put up? What are they?

Please use the comment box below to write your examples and the other meanings.

Share
|

ESL Sing Along - The Beatles, Help!

Listen to the Song, Don't Read the Lyrics


Don't watch the video, just listen. Try and listen to the words that they are singing. A good idea is to write down the lyrics. There might / will be some words and phrases that you don't understand but that is ok. Try and think what the song is about.





Read the Lyrics while Listening

OK,now listen to the video again while reading the lyrics. Look for the words that you missed the first time.


Specific Meangings

"But now these days are gone" - Things have changed.
"I'm not so self-assured" - I'm not as self-confident as before.
"I've changed my mind" - I've changed my decision, I've changed my plan.
"I'm feeling down" - I'm feeling depressed / low, I have the blues.
"Help me get my feet back on the ground" - Help me get over my depression and back to where I was.
"My independence seems to vanish in the haze" - My independence is slowly going.
"I know that I just need you like I've never done before." - I need you more than ever.


General Meaning

The song is about the singer needing help from someone who is close to him. He is feeling low as he has lost a lot of the self-confidence that he used to have and he has also lost his independence. He needs this person more than ever to make him feel better.


The Fun Part

Now it is time to sing along. Use the video and sing along with the lyrics. Then when you have practised, sing along without the lyrics.

Do you enjoy the song? Any other questions? Just comment below.

Share